centrotherm photovoltaics AG and Reis GmbH & Co. KG Maschinenfabrik intend to jointly offer and further develop solutions in the future for turnkey production lines to manufacture crystalline solar cells and modules. The cooperation aims to utilize the partners' specific knowledge in order to optimize manufacturing processes, reduce production costs, and thereby enable customers to achieve improved added value. As an internationally leading technology and equipment provider to the photovoltaics sector, centrotherm photovoltaics is bringing extensive process and technology know-how to the partnership. For its part, Reis Robotics is contributing more than 20 years of experience as a specialist for automation systems in the automotive area — particularly also in the photovoltaics industry — and as a globally established systems integrator.

"Our competencies complement each other optimally, particularly in the turnkey systems area," commented Dr. Peter Fath, CTO of centrotherm photovoltaics AG. "Together with Reis Robotics, we can offer our customers production solutions distinguished by seamlessly integrated process and automation technology, and thereby create critical competitive advantages in periods of falling margins."Paul Merz, Managing Director at Reis Robotics went on to add: "With centrotherm photovoltaics, we have found the ideal partner to meaningfully expand our range of products and services in the photovoltaics area, and to open up additional areas along the photovoltaic value-creation chain with our automation expertise."

Both companies are represented as exhibitors at this year's "Photon's 6th Photovoltaic Technology Show" (April 27 — 29, 2010 in Stuttgart), and intend to utilize the trade fair for their first joint customer meetings.

About Reis Robotics

Reis GmbH & Co. KG Maschinenfabrik, based at Obernburg/Germany, is an international provider of automation systems and technology-based complete systems for the automotive and general industries, but particularly also for the solar industry. Reis Robotics employs a workforce of around 1,200 staff members, and provides servicing and a portfolio of service offerings along with complete systems. The entire product spectrum is presented, offered and realized globally through branches and sales offices.Reis Robotics has been supplying complete module production systems to the PV industry for five years. Reis is one of the leading system providers with 80 realized systems, and a total production output of 3.5 GW. Reis Robotics' range of products and services also include technology development, new production method development, planning, and delivery as well as the start-up of complete production lines. This scope of services comprises all system areas ranging from manual to fully automated, and from 50 MW to 400 MW line output.

About centrotherm photovoltaics AG

centrotherm photovoltaics AG, which is based at Blaubeuren, is one of the world's leading technology and equipment providers for the photovoltaics sector. The company equips well-known solar companies and new sector entrants with turnkey production lines and single equipment to manufacture silicon, crystalline solar cells and thin film modules. As a consequence, the Group possesses a broad and well-founded technological basis, as well as key equipment at practically all steps of the photovoltaics value-creation chain. centrotherm photovoltaics guarantees its customers important performance parameters such as production capacity, efficiencies, and completion deadlines. The Group employs around 1,100 staff members, and operates in Europe, Asia and the USA. centrotherm photovoltaics achieved revenue in the 2009 financial year of EUR 509.1 million, EBIT of EUR 37.2 million, and is listed in the TecDax of the Frankfurt Securities Exchange.centrotherm